La Petite Pamplemousse

12.1.12

Struggla

I found Matisyahu back in high school (during those Napster days). I instantly fell in love with his music and lyrical creativity. For him it's not all about counting dough, drinking the finest vodka, or having the hottest chicks all around him. For M, it's all about being jewish, getting through life, and telling it how it is without resorting today's typical cursing and shouting. One song that I can never listen to without blasting is Struggla. So after another trip to the prefecture (Third récipissé, 7 months, and still waiting for my carte de séjour), I'm blasting his music for some inspiration and hope. Their excuse today? "We're just very slow." No shit Sherlock. That's one stereotype about the French that I unfortunately have to accept; I certainly cannot try to defend it as being false after all this nonsense.

Bref, last weekend was an absolute success (APPLAUSE). Woohoo for starting 2012 off right! On Friday night I hosted a little dinner party. Saturday day I went out to explore town a bit with my friend Emily and her friend from home (England), Kat. My first? Exploring les Halles de Paul Bocuse. I felt like I was back in Reading Terminal Market (only difference is that it was full of perfectly shaped chocolates, huge sausages (yes, that's what she said), wine vendors, and mini swanky restaurants rather than cheesesteaks, Chinese, and Amish vendors. From there we headed off to Crock 'N Roll. Emily had heard about it from the infamous Petit Paumé. In essence, they are a restaurant specializing in croque monsieurs (or to you Americans, grilled cheese). The inside décor was very modern, resembling an old factory in a odd sense. They have musicians come in for nightly concerts as well as weekly art exhibits. Super cool and super yummy! My new favorite in Lyon (sorry L'épicerie)

Deliciousness

We then crossed the bridge over to Vieux Lyon and walked through the traboules and down the cobblestone streets, slipping in our boots from the rain. I was finally able to enter the one traboule I've never been able to sneak into (because it's always locked) and tried to take a video before someone caught me. Usually the residents keep their doors open for tourists, however, this particular traboule only lets in tour groups through the Lyon tourist office (or lucky people like me who sneak in as a lady punches in her code). Mind the shakiness, I'm just getting used to my new video camera =)

Later that we night we went out to eat (AGAIN, I know, I know) to Bleu de toi, a mussels and fish restaurant found on the famous rue Mercière. I was a bit hesitant to eat seafood after my food poisoning on NYE, but i said to myself, it's 2012 and we're all supposed to die this year anyways so why the heck not? Delicious and not too expensive (15 euros for mussels, fries, a salad, and a kir). Another successful food run. I'm still not surprised how I've never gained weight here in France.

This week at school we are working on snow and snowmen. I've shown my little French babies my childhood favorite, The Snowman. It was probably the first half an hour all year where I didn't have to tell anyone to sit still or stop hitting or stop playing with their friends hair. They were so captured by it, just complete fascination with the flying snowman and his funny curiosity. Plus, that song gets you every time; it's just so emotional for some reason.

Finally, my quotes of the week.

" Katie, please help me."- The first full phrase made by a French child who doesn't have English-speaking parents =)

"I'm so boring"- Outside at recess, I hope he was trying to say "bored"...I sure hope.

Me: "Put on your scarf! It's cold outside!"

Child: "Katie! C'est pas un "scarf," c'est une écharpe!" (Katie, that's not a "scarf", it's a scarf!)

"Tes barrettes sont bizarres Katie." (Your hair clips are weird, Katie)

And I leave you with this inspirational, hysterical, yet controversial video.

Toodles à tous!

6.1.12

Bring It 2012!

Bonne année, Bonne santé, Meilleurs Voeux à tous,

I'm back and ready to write. I would share with you another wonderfully dramatic story about my trip to and from France, but that's so 2011. So, let's share some new ideas, new(ish) music findings, and new feelings (or rather old feelings about new experiences).

Here are three songs to start us off until I get out there this weekend to take pictures and explore.

First up: The Cardigans. Yes, they are not new. But but but! I never really payed attention to these lyrics (nor much the song for that matter despite the fact that my favorite Swede gave me every single song this awesome band has never made) until this week when it popped up on my shuffle. Alors, first wish for the following 12 months. Shuffle up my daily life more often and see what it brings me.

Second: My sister's late favorite. Ben Howard. She will kill me if I don't go to his concert here in Lyon so that's next up on the resolution list (any takers?) While this album did come out in 2011, I didn't really appreciate it until this past week. Third goal: Stop doing what Ben Howard is doing and repeat those famous words, "All we fear is fear itself." Or as my Mom-Mom would say, "Quite whining and just get to it!"

Last but not least: Miguel. I'd choose him over Usher, Bruno Mars, or Drake any day. He's underrated and I always root for the underdogs. I was OBSESSED with "Sure Thing" all summer but I can not stop blasting his latest single. He reminds me of Pharrell in a sense. I think it's the geeky glasses, Matrix cloak, and fluorescent lighting that he's got going on in all of his videos that makes me a fan. Impossible resolution: Meet the man and be a lead in his future music videos. A bit more, but still not completely possible resolution: Have my gym do a hip-hop class to one of his songs. Definitely possible resolution: Get caught dancing to Miguel in the supermarket.

Bisous,

25.12.11

Christmas Time Is Here

Last year I experienced the magical Fête de Lumières for the first time. Four days of tea lights glowing on windowsills, music and light shows, and vin chaud stands on every corner. My Lyonnais friends told me that the best light festivals tend to come every two years. Since most people seemed to be disappointed last year, I assumed that this year would even more amazing. Despite a few mediocre displays, the general atmosphere of Lyon still exploded with excitement, energy, and happiness. The locals come out of their caves, tourists fill in from all over, and the streets clog up with tons and tons of people. You go out at sundown and stay out either until you cannot feel your feet anymore or you've had enough vin chaud that you're about to make a bench your bed. I learned last year that the best way to experience this festival is to explore different areas each night and then go back to your favorites on Sunday. There are too many people to see everything in one night (plus who says no to a crêpe pit stop every hour or so?)

Eyeballs

Hôtel de Ville put on a much better show this year. They always try to center the show around the famous Bartholdi fountain. This year the show was a lot more interactive and dramatic. The artists made use of all of the buildings, making the walls seem to pop out at you and then fall apart. In my opinion, the young woman has lost her horses and is calling out for them. Once she finds them they turn back into the statue. Other friends thought differently. What is your opinion/story after watching it? (click here to check it out).

"Neighhhhh"

And the girl is transformed back into a statue.

Jellyfish chandeliers

Totem poles

Saint Jean was another favorite of mine this year. Although it was merely lights and music, the simplicity of the 8 minute show was breathtaking. Last year Saint Jean's beautiful facade was covered for majority of the year for a good ole cleaning. There is just something about this long weekend full of lights that stirs something deep down inside you. I definitely got a rush of emotions from this one.

Saint Jean

Bellecour

Looking down from the Fourvière hill.

Fourvière

Algae

The student designed light show

Made out of recycle plastic bottles

The wire man army at Parc de la Tête d'Or

And the wise wire dragon

Here are my two favorites from this year's festival. The first starts with a very E.T.-esque soundtrack and then moves onto what I will only assume from the repetitive melodies and scales to be Mozart (click here). Again, so very simple and perfect. The second took place on Rue de la République (right near Bellecour). The fountain was taken over by some pretty snazzy stick men. (click here)

During the festival, I like to duck into the churches and just sit for a bit. I like to think about the Lyonnais back when they were praying to Mary, before this light festival was created, before they were saved from the plague, when the only lights that were shining were like the ones I light when I go in and sit down. In one of my favorite churches (sorry I'm not giving up my secret spot), there was a nativity (or crèche in French). Local students put together a pile of items that believed would be useful or needed for a modern day homeless couple going on a journey like Mary and Joseph. Amazingly enough, all of this rubbish creates the perfect silhouette of Jesus' birth. On that note, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy (C)Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year wherever you may be!

Students remake of Christmas Eve

It's baby Jesus yo! He's gonna be a superstar one day!

7.12.11

It's The Holiday Season

The end of another year is quickly approaching us. It's funny to think how fast the date goes from being January 1st to December 31st. As a 23 year old, everything seems to fly by me.; whereas my three year olds are always shocked that the weekend is over, that they have to come back to school and start yet another week, and that they have to wait two more hours until they can eat lunch.

Bouncing off the topic of time and its untouchable power over the human mind, I'd like to turn your attention to one recent and one current event: Thanksgiving and the world renown Strasbourg Marché de Noël. This year I spent Thanksgiving with my favorite French belly dancers. What's the big deal you say? Well for one we surely ate enough food to make our bellies jiggle in all the right places for the next few classes. Second, it was the first time EVER where I only had one meal's worth of left-overs. Third, I FOUND A TURKEY! A 9 kilogram Halal turkey at that! Oh snap! We had a wonderful time together and of course I had to bring out the child in me and make those egg-crate turkey place settings (circa 1996).

Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Turkey, Sweet Potato Casserole, Corn, Stuffing, and Homemade Cranberry Sauce :)

Gobble Gobble

Whatcha Lookin' At?

The girls

Last weekend I finally got out of Lyon and onto a train. While I already visited and appreciated the history of Strasbourg last year, I decided I should return to partake in it's annual Christmas market. Unfortunately, this was my first weekend traveling around France this school year (I know, I'm slacking, it's killing me as much as you dear reader). I'm not sure if it was the 5 hour train ride, the rain, or the constant sugar rush that caused me to fall in love with Mr. Bron C. Hitis. We're going strong now after a month apart. Right, moving on....in all seriousness, it was a lovely weekend and put me in the mood for what's coming up TOMORROW and all weekend here in Lyon: La Fête de Lumières.